5 Important Questions About Your Chakras That You Must Know
The concept of chakras is integral to the practice of Tantra, the more esoteric tradition of Hinduism.
Chakras, seven in number as per yogic literature, are literally “wheels”, and represent the seven vital seats of the energy body.
In spite of the growing interest and popularity of chakras, their potential, and their role in our potentials, there still is some obscurity around what they really are.
The intent of this article is to unveil that which lies hidden about chakras; we explore chakra healing, chakra meditation, the experience of the opening of the chakras, and the safety instructions.
1. Is chakra healing dangerous?
Chakra healing is not dangerous. However, this comes with a disclaimer. The yogic way of chakra healing or opening, is through self practices that lead to self awareness: practices like asana, pranayama, and meditation.
The chakra healing that is practiced by ‘healers’ can be dangerous in the sense that if these energy centers become overly activated, without the vessel being strong enough to hold these hyper energies, it can lead to negative experiences. However, chakra healing is generally not dangerous.
This article shares the experiences of a ‘spiritually oriented psychotherapist’, who says that he has observed people in mental wards who have intentionally or unintentionally opened their chakras.
In his words:
“…they hear voices or see images that most of us would say are not there. They act and behave crazy, and they are not grounded or present…”
He goes on to say that:
“…what may be happening to them is that they have had a chakra opening into realms that they can’t handle, and the information flowing into them is too much.
They’ve lost their balance and connection to the earth. It’s like they’ve blown a circuit…”
How can we benefit from chakra healing and make sure our experience is a positive one?
The negative experiences that people face as a result of chakra healing are few and far between, and occur mostly when the intensity of the healing is much higher than the receiver is prepared to accept.
Most healings are safe and beneficial to the receiver.
In order to make sure that chakra healing has no negative effects, before receiving the healing, spend some time grounding or doing simple exercises so that the body is open and the energy can flow through the chakras smoothly.
Another way is to keep yourself hydrated.
Chakra healing is an amazing experience that has a lot of benefits, some of these include:
- Restoring our balance and bringing us into alignment
- Clearing out negative energy
- Opening our hearts
- And building faith and trust in our intuition.
What does chakra healing do?
Chakra healing is the healing of the energetic body.
In chakra healing, energy is channelled into each of the seven chakras.
It clears out stagnant energy and emotional blockages and makes space for new, positive energy to take its place.
Different tools can be used to do this, like crystals, visualizations, colors, or sounds.
A healer or practitioner will be able to assess the current energy levels of each of the chakras, and by using one or more of the tools, can bring the chakras into balance, which can be referred to as: opening the chakras, balancing the chakras, or healing the chakras.
What can you expect from a typical chakra healing session?
Chakra healing can be done in person or even remotely.
A healer would typically start with a short consultation or discussion wherein they would ask a few questions about the issues you are facing.
They would then assess the current state of the chakras, and then the healing practice would begin
The healing would entail working on either a specific chakra or on all of them.
At the end of the session, most healers would tell you about what they felt about your energy and how they see it after the healing.
2. How do I unblock my chakras?
The unblocking of the chakras can be done with practices like:
- Yoga postures
- Breathing exercises
- Mantra
- And meditation
Here are the specifics to open each of the seven chakras.
How to open the Root Chakra?
- Creating grounding energy by walking barefoot in nature
- Grounding and balancing poses like Mountain pose and Tree pose
- Using the color red in diet, so eating foods like tomatoes and red berries
- Wearing clothes and accessories that are red, especially in the lower part of the body
- Meditating on the sound of ‘lam’
How to open the Sacral Chakra?
- Soaking in the energy of water by swimming or being in water
- Yoga postures that strengthen the pelvic floor such as Bridge pose or Pigeon pose
- Eating foods that are orange in color, carrots, peaches, and apricots, for instance
- Drinking lots of water
- Wearing the color orange
- Meditating on the sound of ‘vam’
How to open the Solar Plexus Chakra?
- Absorbing the energy of fire by either being around one or taking it from the sun
- Yoga postures that strengthen the core; Boat pose or Triangle pose are some examples
- Adding yellow foods into the diet, like corn and pineapple
- Wearing the color yellow
- Meditating on the sound of ‘ram’
How to open the Heart Chakra?
- Deep breathing with pranayama
- Yoga poses that open the heart, such as Camel pose and Wheel pose
- Eating the color green in fruits and vegetables like kale and spinach
- Wearing the color green
- Meditating on the sound of ‘yum’
Wanna know more? 👉 Here The Advanced Guide to Green Chakra Meaning (Importance & How to Balance)
How to open the Throat Chakra?
- Creating space by sitting in an open area in nature
- Yoga poses that activate the throat, like Cobra pose and Fish pose
- Adding foods in your diet that are blue in color; think blueberries and plums
- Drinking herbal teas
- Wearing the color blue
- Meditating on the sound of ‘ham’
How to open the Third Eye Chakra?
- Associated with the element of light, so taking out time for sunbathing or moon bathing
- Yoga poses that connect the upper body to the lower body, like Forward folds
- Eating indigo colored foods like eggplants and grapes
- Wearing the color indigo
- Meditating on the sound of ‘sham’
How to open the Crown Chakra?
- Practicing meditation and mantra chanting
- The yoga pose that signifies the end, Savasana
- Detoxifying the body and fasting
- Wearing the color violet
- Meditating on the sound ‘om’
3. What does it feel like when your chakras open?
The purpose of the opening of the chakras has to do with reaching higher states of realization and consciousness.
The opening of each of the chakras manifests as a unique experience. However, when all of the chakras are open, it helps one achieve the ultimate goal in yoga, which is, union with the divine or Supreme consciousness.
What does it feel like when the Root Chakra is open?
- Feeling of safety and security
- Releasing of fear and worry
- Letting go of attachments
- Feeling the energy of abundance
- Reaching the ideal weight
- Feeling that you are rooted, that you are on firm ground
What does it feel like when the Sacral Chakra is open?
- Feeling pleasure, comfort, and ease
- Finding your grace
- Feeling more selfless and generous
- Tapping into your creativity
- Being able to feel all that is
What does it feel like when the Solar Plexus Chakra is open?
- Finding your sense of purpose
- Achieving a balance in having control and letting go
- Believing in your own power
- Feeling a deep sense of self-confidence
What does it feel like when the Heart Chakra is open?
- Being able to give and receive unconditional love
- Finding joy and peace within yourself
- Being able to forgive both yourself and others
- Feeling unconditional kindness and compassion
What does it feel like when the Throat Chakra is open?
- Finding your authenticity
- Being able to express yourself and communicate
- Releasing of fears and insecurities
- Feeling self-confident
What does it feel like when the Third Eye Chakra is open?
- A feeling of pressure in between the eyebrows
- Learning to trust your intuition
- Helping you make the right decisions
- Being able to see the bigger picture
- Being able to connect with your inner wisdom
What does it feel like when the Crown Chakra is open?
- Feeling a deep sense of calm and peace
- Experiencing a connection with the divine
- Opening of the mind to that which is unknown
- Creating a feeling of bliss
4. Is chakra meditation dangerous?
Chakra meditation is generally not dangerous.
It is safe for those who practice it with the right physical, mental, and spiritual preparation.
It is best to practice it under the right guidance and support.
If you are experiencing deep mental and emotional distress, chakra meditation can have negative effects.
There are tangible and intangible changes that one experiences as a result of chakra meditation.
Some of these changes can have a physical and psychological impact that can feel negative.
Some of these negative experiences could be in the form of a feeling of anxiety or unease, headache, or the coming up of negative repressed memories.
an intense feeling of grief or sadness, irregular sleep, and even hallucinations are also some of the negative effects that can arise.
As explained before, having any of these negative experiences as an outcome of chakra meditation has a correlation with having a lot of repressed emotions or being in a state of intense unease.
5. Is chakra the same as chi?
Chakra and chi are not the same. Chi, in traditional Chinese culture, can be compared to prana in Sanskrit, which can be translated to vital life force. Chakras on the other hand, which come from Tantric philosophy, are the focal points in the body where energy concentrates.
Closing thoughts
Chakras do many things for us. They are motivators, governors of our needs and behaviors, shapers of our personality, and bestowers of our potentials.
When we understand the chakras, we understand our inner selves.
If you feel like you would want to know more about the chakras, this is a great read.